Head immobilizer

Abstract

A base headboard for supporting the back of an injured person's head has an elongated slot with teeth racks disposed on either side of the injured person's head. The headboard also comprises straps for attaching to a spine board. Two side head blocks are removably attached to the headboard using plunger-type locks that engage an elongated slot on each side of a center portion of the headboard. Each lock is engaged to a slot of the headboard through a separate elongated slot in the corresponding head block. Advantageously, a head block may be adjusted by moving the engagement of the lock along each independent slot in the headboard and head block, respectively. In addition, a head block may be rotated around its lock. Head pads and straps, and pads and straps for cervical collars that come into contact with a patient may be replaceable and packaged in a kit, thereby allowing the durable components (such as head blocks and headboard) to be reused indefinitely and reducing cleaning costs and minimizing exposure to pathogens. Such a kit of replaceable parts may also reduce material waste compared having all disposable components without any durable components (i.e. head immobilizers).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 741,297, filed Dec. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,057.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to an improved head immobilization apparatus that is attachable to, and detachable from, a spine board of the type employed by emergency medical personnel for transporting injured persons.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Spine boards have been used by physicians and emergency medical personnel for a number of years in the transport of injured or incapacitated persons. Particular care and attention is needed for the immobilization of the head and neck of an injured person being transported. Head and cervical spine immobilization is necessary to prevent possible neck (cervical spine) injuries from being exacerbated during transport. It is desirable that such immobilization be performed quickly and properly after an injured p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]It is another object of this invention to provide a head immobilizer with good visual and tactile access to eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and neck.

[0043]The preferred soft material for the headboard and head blocks (foam pads) is, thus, readily removable from the headboard and head blocks for easy replacement. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a disposable kit may include two head block pads, a headboard pad and two head straps. A cervical collar may also include neck and chin pads and an attachment strap that are removably attached from a disposable kit. Thus, the pads and straps may be easily removed, decontaminated and / or replaced when contaminated without having to replace any of head blocks, headboard or cervical collar.

Problems solved by technology

None of these patents, however, discloses or suggests an immobilization apparatus that provides for ease of adjustability without removal of parts, integrated parts, accommodation for a wide range of sizes, consideration for x-rays, symmetrical parts for easy manufacturing, safety locks, etc.

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